Man arrested in Wales in case of missing Irish woman Catherine Gowing

Police in North Wales have arrested a man on suspicion of the murder of 37-year-old Irish woman Catherine Gowing, from Birr, County Offaly.

According to ITV reports, a 46-year-old man, from Gwynedd, who is believed to be known to Gowing, has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Gowing was last seen by her friend on Friday (12th October) at 7pm in Mold, Flintshire. She was seen leaving her job at Evans Veterinary Practice on Clayton Road. The police are attempting to trace Gowing’s car, a Renault Clio with Irish registrations plates (OO D 99970).

The Offaly woman then failed to make an appointment over the weekend. She then did not turn up for work on Monday morning. This was out of character for Catherine who maintained good contact with friends, family and her work colleagues.

The North Wales police believe that she drove home to Cae Isa, New Brighton in her car.

Senior police believe the vet has come to “significant harm”. They spoke to the press at a news conference on Wednesday.

Detective Superintendent John Hanson said, "We are increasingly concerned about Catherine's welfare and we have no knowledge as to her current whereabouts.”

He added, "This man has now been arrested on suspicion of her murder and he is currently being questioned at a local police station…The information which led us to arrest him forms part of our investigative strategy and it would be inappropriate for me to elaborate further at this time."

Gowing moved to New Brighton having qualified as a vet in a university in Budapest, reports RTE news.

Her sister Emma and her brother-in-law are in North Wales assisting the police and helping to build up a better picture of her friends and habits.

Her family released a statement through the police. It read, “The family are devastated with the news and will try and come to terms with Catherine's disappearance.

“She is the light of our family and we can't imagine that light's gone.”

Gowing’s local parish priest Father Michael O’Meara told RTE he had been speaking with Maureen and John, her parents. He said there is a sense of shock and deep sadness surrounding her disappearance.